Closure lock



CLOSURE LOCK A ITORNEY Marh 31, 193s. E. c, DE WE'RFF 2,035,596

GLOSURE LOCK Filed Jan. 16, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR C. dell/e Tf f A TTORNE Y l Patented Mar. 3l, 1936 UNITED vs'rrxrlzs' PATENT oFFi'cr. l

Claims.

The present invention relates to a closure lock, and more particularly to a closure lock for the gasoline tank caps of motor vehicles.

With most present caps on automobiles thc gas- 5 oline tank cap is simply screwed into position and it is a simple matter for anyone desiring to steal gasoline from an automobile to simply unscrew the cap, insert a syphoning tube and draw oithe entire contents of the tank. In addition to the monetary loss caused by this practice, Vwhich is unfortunately frequent, the theft usually occurs at night and when the driver returns to his car, and possibly after the gasoline stations have closed, he no more than gets started than the motor stops through lack of gas. At. best this entails a walk to the nearest lling station, and, since most lling stations close at about ten oclock at night, it has been the frequent experience of motorists who nd themselves faced with the necessity of calling a tow cai' or the nearest open garage to' come to his assistance.

Various types of locking caps for motor vehicles have been devised in the past, some of which lock with a key, others ofwhich operate by remote control as by means o'f electricity. The key locking caps are open to serious objection that the key is apt to become lost, or at best necessitates either the driver getting out of the car and locking the cap himself or handing the key to the attendant with the possibility of his neglecting to return it to the driver. All of the electrical ones with which applicant is familiar are open to the serious objection that if the thief is familiar with the type of lock it is a simple matter for him to short-circuit it, thereby releasing the cap.

Various types of anti-syphon devices are available which may be inserted in the tank opening to hinder the insertion of a syphoning tube, but, since the car driver may some time want to syphon o so'me gas himself, it is not always desirable.

A An object of my invention is to make an improved and simplied locking cap for motor ve- 45 hicle gas tank caps.

A further object is to make a positive and secure locking cap which may be readily released by the driver from his seat in the automobile.

In order to attain these objects there is provided in accordance with one feature of the invention a frame element adapted to be xedly attached to the ller neck of the gasoline tank so as to be ordinarily non-removable, orto be formed integrally therewith. In this frame is mounted a locking cover plate co-operating with (Cl. X0-50) a hinged closure cap for the gas tank opening and having a releasable locking element mounted to hold the closure plate and cover cap in locked, closed position. 'I'his locking element is associated with a releasing mechanism which prefer. 5 ably extends to a point adjacent the drlvers seat so as to be releasable by the driver without leaving his position in the car.

-In thel present embodiment the locking device extends laterally frc'm the filler neck of the gas- 10 oline tank and is provided with a closure plate similar in appearance and disposed oppositely to the closure plate for the tank opening, so that from a top view the device is similar on both sides so' that an unauthorized person desiring to force l5 entry to the device will not be able to distinguish which side of the device is the cover plate through which access to the ller neck is-attained.

These and other features of the device will be more fully, brought out in the following descrip- 20 tion and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a device embodying the present. invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view online 2-2 of Figure Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2. l

Figure 4 is a schematic drawing showing an electrical circuit embodying one form of the invention. 30

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of the device shown in Figure 1,. showing the closure plate over the ller cap in open position, the filler cap open, the locking element in raised, releasing position, and the entire magnetic locking element 35 removed from its position in the end of the device to disclose the general'structure thereof.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on line 6 6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing 40 the inner, or adjoining ends, of a pair of cover plates, showing the plates in partly separated position with a device for preventing the depressing of a locking element except when both cover plates are in closed, abutting position.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 6, showing an automatic switch for lighting a signal lamp when thev locking mechanism is released. 50

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of the elemental parts of a modified form of releasing mechanism wherein a vacuum controlled bellows is used to operate the releasing latch instead of the electro-magnetic means employed in the 55 structure illustrated by the foregoing illustrations; and

Figure A10 is a fragmentary plan view of a shield covering a gasoline tank with an opening therein showing the position the device occupies when mounted on an automobile.

Referring to the drawings in detail, an automobile gasoline tank A is provided with a ller neck I which is here illustrated as having formed integrally therewiththe housing 2 of a locking tank closure embodying the present invention. The upper portion of the housing 2 is formed with a pair of parallel side walls 2-a and 2-b in the inner face of each of which is provided -a groove 9 to slidably receive tongues 1-a and 8-a of a pair of similarly formed but oppositely disposed cover plates 1 and 8. The cover plate 1 is mounted over the flller neck opening, as best shown in Figures 2 and 5, and a recess is Aprovided in the housing 2 at the upper end of the ller pipe in which a closure cap I1 is pivotally mounted on a pin I8. Each of the cover plates 1 and 8 are provided with a small raised 4boss 44 on their upper surfaces adjacent their inner ends by means of which the cover plate may be manipulated. A cam-like rib I9 is provided on the upper side of the cap I1, of a height to be engaged by the cover plate 1 in closing to force the cap I1 rmly down into sealing position.

The inner ends of the two cover plates 1 and 8 are each formed with similar but oppositely dis.

posed indentations which complement each other when the two cover plates are in closed abutting position toclosely surround a locking member II to be later described in detail. Extending into the indentations I2, from eachside thereof, are a pair of locking lugs I3, these lugs being set downwardly from the top surface oi' thecover plates a distance equal to the thickness of the top portion of the locking member I I, so as to permit the locking member to lie ush with the top of the locking plates when in locking position, as shown in Figure 2. A

The locking member II is best illustrated in Figures 2, 5, and 6, and comprises a horizontally disposed top portion with downwardly projecting side flanges I4 of a size and shape to engage the lugs I3 of the cover plates when these plates are closed and the locking device Il is depressed to lock the coverA plates in closed position. The top portion Il of the locking device is mounted cen-- trally on a rectangular supporting stem II-a which is slidably mounted in a recess II-b in the housing 2. 'I'he stem II-a is provided with a vertically disposed slotted opening I6 at a point to receive a spring-pressed pin I5 mounted to free slidable movement in a hole 43 drilled in the inner end of the cover plate 8. A pin 42 is xedly mounted in the innerlend of the cover plate 1 in a position to engage the spring-pressed p in I5 when both cover plates are: in closed, abutting position, as shown in Figure 2, to force the pin I5 into the position shown in this gure. The pin I5 has a small block 4I formed integrally therewith, and when the pin I5 is released by the opening of the cover plate 1 to the position shown in Figure 5, and in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2, the pin I5 is moved-outwardly by the spring 43--a until the block 5I engages the stem II-a, which arrests its further movement. W'hen in this position the block 4I lies` directly under the flange I4 on the locking device II and prevents `depressing the locking device II with the cover plate 1 open.

A pair of coil springs 21 are mounted in the recess vII-'l: below the stem lII'-a to normally force the locking device upwardly to a releasing position. Fixedly secured in a hole drilled in the bottom of the stem II-a ofthe recess lI-b is a signal actuating pin 3|, to actuate a signal when the locking device is in releasing position. This signal mechanism will be later described in detail.

Av solenoid latch mechanism 6 is mounted in a recess 5 in the left hand side ofthe housing 2 as it appears in Figures 2 and 5, which .figures best illustrate this feature of the device. A solenoid-coil 22 has a slidably-mounted core 23 and a oil s pring 24 held in compression by the 'core to normally force the core outwardly or to the right,

as illustrated in Figures 2 and 5. An opening 2-c is provided in the wall between the recesses 5 and II--b to permitvfree slidable movement of the core 23 therein.- An opening 26 is also provided in the stem II-a to register with opening 2-c to receive the core 23 vwhen the locking device I I is in depressed, locking position, as shown in Figure 2. The upper side of .the portion of Athe core projecting beyond the coil 22 is flattened as is also the top portion of the opening 2-c -shown in Figure 2.

The solenoid 6 is iixedly supported upon a block I0 which is closely tted into the end of the recess 5. The block I0 is provided with a depression I 0-a in its inner face which is adapted to receive a pin 41 iixedly secured in a hole in the lower side of the cover 8 to securely hold the cover 8 in a closed position when the block Ill is in position, as shown in Figure 2. The block I0 is secured in position, by a pair of flllister head screws 28 which are positioned to enter depressions 29 on opposite sides of the block IB. After the block I0 is thus secured in position the llister heads of the screws may be filled by driving a lead pellet into them in a Well known manner so as to prevent their'removal by means of ordinary tools.

A pair of lead wires 5I) and 5I are connected to the terminals of the coil 22 and are preferably enclosed in an armored housing 52 to resist any eiort to cut these wires.

Referring to the signal switch best shown in Figures 2, 6,- and 8, a switch housing 33 is supported on a bracket 33-a fixedly secured to the sideof the filler neck I. Within the housing 33 is mounted a cup-shaped insulating member 53. Inside the insulating member 53 is tted a cylindrical conducting member 54 with inwardly projecting contact iianges at the top and bottom, respectively, thereof. A centrally perforated disk 55 is mounted within the cylindrical conducting member 54 to rest upon and have electrical contact with the lower ange of the member 54, and a bolt 34 passes through the central perforation in the disk 55, through' an insulating flanged bushing 56 mounted in an opening in the bracket 33-a and is provided with a nut 51 which securely holds the parts in assembled position. A terminal nut 58 is also Athreadedly mounted on the bolt 34 to secure a conductor 35 thereto. A Washer 59, of conductive material, is mounted below the top ange of the member 54 and in electrical contact therewith and is held in supported position by a cup-shaped insulating member 60`mounted.

interim-ly of the member 54. An inverted cup- Shaped member 6I is mounted to telescope freely aver the upper end of the housing 33 and isprovided with a depending center post 32 to the lower end of which is iixedly co ected a disk 63 of conductive material. A co spring 64 is mounted in the lower portionV of the housing to normally force the disk 63 into electrical contact with the washer 59.v

A circuit'adapted for use with the present construction is shown in Figure 4. In this-figure one side of an automatic battery 36 is grounded as at 65, as is also one Vterminal of the solenoid lcoil as at 66 and one side of the signal switch 33, in the present construction this being the housing 33.

From the other terminal of the battery36 a conductor 61 is connected to a signal lamp 39, which may be mounted in any convenient position in the automobile, as on the instrument panel, not illustrated. From theother side of the lamp 30 a conductor 35 is connected to the other side of the signal switch 33, in this case to the terminal post 34. A conductor 69 is connected to the conductor- 61, and to one side of an ordinary push button 38. From the other side of the push button a conductor 19 is connected to one side of a locking switch 3.1 which is preferably the ignition switch of the automobile in which the device is installed. From the other side of the switch 31 a conductor 5I is connected to the other terminal of the solenoid coil 22.

Ordinarily a plate 3 covers the automobile gasoline tank (see Figure 10), and the housing 2 is positioned below the plate 3, an opening 4 being provided in the plate 3 to expose the opening to the gasoline tank.

The operation of the device isas follows: Assuming that the driver of the automobile in which the device is installed drives into a iilling station for some gasoline, the ignition switch31 being closed, he presses the push button 38, thereby closing a circuit from ground 65, through the battery 36, through conductors 61 and 69, through the .push button 38, conductor 10, through the ignition switch 31, conductor 5I, and the coil 22 of the solenoid 6, to ground 66. 'I'his actuates the solenoid and draws the core 23 inwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure 4, freeing the locking member II for upward movement. Thereupon the springs 21 force the locking member-I I upward to the releasing position shown in Figure 5. This freesthe cover plate 1 for slidable opening movement and the spring-pressed -pin I5 moves outwardly until the block 4I carried by the pin I5 is in exposed position beneath the ange I4 on the locking member II, thereby preventing depressing of the locking member I I until the cover plate 1 is again closed, as previously described. The pin I 5 riding in the slotted opening I6 of the stern I I-a limits the upward move- `ment of the locking member. As the locking member I I moves upwardly to a releasing position, carrying with it the pin 3I mounted in the bottom thereof, the pin 3| frees the cup 6I of the signal switch 33 for upward movement, whereupon the spring 64 forces the disk 63 into electrical contact with the washer 59, thereby closing a circuit from ground 65, through conductor 61, lamp 39, conductor 35, and switch 33 to ground 33-a. This illuminates the signal lamp and indicates to the driver that the locking device is in releasing position and he may then release the push button 38. The filling station attendant then slides the cover plate 1 outwardly to a fully open position, the

movement of the cover plate 1 being'limited by a pin 20 mounted in a hole drilled in the housing I, which 'pin lies in 'a longitudinally disposed groove 2| in the lower central side of the cover plate 1. When the cover plate 1-is in fully open position, as shown in Figure 5, and indicated in dotted lines in Figures l-and 2, the hinged cap I1 is raised to expose the filler neck opening by means of spring hinge I8. -After filling the tank, the attendant closes the hinged cap I1, slides the cover plate 1 to a closed position, 'thereby forcing the pin I5 and block 4I inwardly to free the locking member II for downward movement. He then depresses the locking member I-I to force the core 23 inwardly against the force of the spring 24 until thecore 23 registers with the opening 26 in the stem II-a, whereupon the core is forced into this opening by the spring 24, thereby securing the locking member in depressed, locking position.

As the locking member is moved to its depressed locking position, the pin 3I engages the cup6I and moves it downward to move the disk 63 out of contact with the washer v59, thereby opening the signal circuit and extinguishing the signal lamp 36 and indicating to the driver that the closure is locked. The cork gasket I1-a. is cemented to the lower side of the plate I1, as shown in Figure `5, thus preventing the out-splashing of gasoline. j

A modified f orm of releasing device is shown in Figure 9. In this modied form a collapsible bellows 46 is substituted for the solenoid 6 and a locking bolt for the core 23, the locking bolt being secured to the movable face of the bellows 46. A tube 46--a is in open communication with the interior of the bellows and with a valve 48 of a well known type having an air bleed opening 49 in a side thereof. A second tube 41 is in open communication with the valve 48 and with an area of reduced pressure, such as the intake manifold, not shown, of the automobile upon which the device is mounted. In one position of the valve the air bleed is closed, and open communuication is established between the interior of the bellows 46 and the intake manifold, while in the other position of the valve communication with the intake manifold is closed and air at atmospheric pressure is admitted to the bellows through the bleed hole 49. Upon the entrance of air at atmospheric pressure into the bellows a spring 46-b tends to force the movable face of r the bellows outwardly to move the locking bolt tion of the modified form shown in Figure 9 is the same as that illustrated and described for the electrically operated device.

The present locking closure is simple and positive in operation, readily operated by the driver from his driving position in the automobile, and provided with signal means to indicate to him at all times the condition of the lock. It is neat and attractive in appearance, and is extremely difficult to open except in the prescribed manner.

It is apparent that neither the electrically actuated device nor the vacuum operated device can be operated when the automobile motor is stopped, since the electrically operated device depends for a closure of the ignition switch to complete the unlocking circuit and the vacuum operated type depends upon reduced pressure in the intake manifold for operation, which, of course, is only present when the automobile motor is running.

1. In combination witha fuel tank having a lling opening, a housing supported above said opening, aslidable plate within s aid housing for said opening, a slidable locking element normally interlocking with said plate, a slidable pin positioned' to interlock with said interlocking element when in locking engagement with said plate, and means for withdrawing said pin from interlocking engagement with said locking element.

2. In combination with a fuel tank having a filling opening, a slidable cover plate arranged in connection with said opening, a slidable locking element interlocking with said plate when in closed position, a slidable pin positioned to interlock with said locking element, means for withdrawing said pin from locking engagement with said element, and spring means releasing said element from said plate when said pin is withdrawn.

3. In combination with a fuel tank having a filling opening, a slidable cover plate .arranged in connection with said opening, a.slidab1e locking element interlocking with said plate when in closed position, a slidable pin positioned to interlock with said locking element, means for withdrawing said pin fromlocking' engagement with said element, spring means releasing said element from said plate when said pin is withdrawn, a spring pressed pin interlocking with said element when said element is in locking engagement with said plate, and means carried by said plate to carry said pin out of such locking engagement when said plate is closed.

4. In combination with a fuel tankhaving a illling opening, a hinged cover for said opening, a slidable cover plate positioned above said cover and normally holding said cover in` closed position, a locking element interlocking with said plate when in closed position, an element interlocking with said locking element to hold the same in locking engagement with said plate, and means for withdrawing said last-mentioned element from engagement with said locking element.

5. In combination with a fuel tank having a filler opening, a slidable plate mounted over said opening, a movable locking element interlocking with said plate when in closed position, a slidable pin interlocking with said element when the same is in interlocking position with said plate, and electro magnetic means for withdrawing said pin from engagement with said element.

EDWIN C. DE WERFF. 

